Depression

Depression can vary from feeling in low spirits, where everything in our normal life feels harder and not worth it, to it being something that threatens our lives. In such cases, we may feel that we don’t have the will to go on.

As each person’s experience is different, we may be experiencing a certain type of depression. For a more comprehensive overview about depression, check out this Ted-Ed Video.

What it feels like

“There is shame and stigma attached to talking about depression. In fact, one in every four people suffer from anxiety and depression. We talk about all kinds of ailments, but this is probably one of the deadliest mental disorders."
- Deepika Padukone

“There was a time in my life where I was very depressed, I had lost all self-esteem. I came to a point where I couldn't even look at myself in the mirror, I had gained weight. When people tell you to just get over it, it's not one thing you're sad about, it's just this feeling. It's not like you feel suddenly sad at 2am at night, it could also be when you're in class in the morning or meeting people. You're smiling on the outside but you feel devastated on the inside."  
- Momina Mustehsan

Signs

Clinical depression is something that lasts for a period of time (doctors define it as more than two weeks). It can include a range of symptoms that affects how we feel, as well as how we think while dealing with daily activities.

So what are the signs of depression? The following is a list of signs from the National Institute of Mental Health (keep in mind that everyone experiences depression differently. Some of these symptoms might not apply to you, and some might apply only sometimes). Our symptoms may also change over time.

Symptoms include a combination of some of the following every day for two weeks or more:

• Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
• Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism
• Irritability
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
• Decreased energy or fatigue
• Moving or talking more slowly
• Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
• Appetite and/or weight changes
• Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
• Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment